Man Smart

Harry Belafonte

About Man Smart

"Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" is a calypso song variously credited as being composed by Norman Span (King Radio), D. L. Miller, F. Kuhn, and Charles Harris. Span's authorship seems most likely since, as a popular calypso musician and songwriter, he first recorded the song in 1936, and none of the other ascribed composers are associated with calypso. Miller's music industry career began around 1950. Artists from many genres, including Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, the Carpenters, Rosanne Cash, Chubby Checker, Dr Victor, Robert Palmer, and Ratdog, have recorded the song. It was a staple of the live repertoire of the Grateful Dead from 1981 to 1995. Belafonte's first of three recordings of the song was included on his best-selling album Calypso, which reached number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart in 1956, and remained on the chart for 31 weeks. Span is credited as the song's composer on Belafonte's albums. It is sung by Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, William Frawley and Vivian Vance in the 1957 episode of I Love Lucy entitled "Ragtime Band". 


Year:
1959
117 
#2

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I say let us put man and a woman together
To find out which one is smarter
Some say man but I say no
The woman got the man de day should know

And not me but the people they say
That de man are leading de women astray
But I say, that the women of today
Smartre than the man in every way
That's right de woman is uh smarter
That's right de woman is uh smarter
That's right de woman is uh smarter, that's right, that's right

Ever since the world began
Woman was always teaching man
And I you listen to my bid attentively
I goin' tell you how she smarter than me

Samson was the strongest man long ago
No one could a beat him, as we all know
Until he clash with Deliah on top of the bed
She told them all the strength was in the hair of his head

You meet a girl at a pretty dance
Thinking that you would stand a chance
Take her home, thinking she's alone
Open de door you find her husband home

I was treating a girl independently
She was making baby for me
When de baby born and I went to see
Eyes was blue it was not by me

Garden of Eden was very nice
Adam never work in Paradise
Eve meet snake, Paradise gone
She make Adam work from that day on

Methuselah spent all his life in tears
Lived without a woman for 900 years
One day he decided to have some fun
The poor man never lived to see 900 and one

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Harry Belafonte

Harold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. (born March 1, 1927) is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing "The Banana Boat Song", with its signature lyric "Day-O". Throughout his career he has been an advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes and was a vocal critic of the policies of the George W. Bush Administration. more »

5 fans

Written by: Harry Belafonte, Jack Segal, Norman Span

Lyrics © NEXT DECADE ENTERTAINMENT,INC., Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Artist Profile
"Man Smart" was sung by Harry Belafonte, a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, activist, and actor. Belafonte was one of the most successful Jamaican-American musicians in history.
Lyrics and Theme
The song, also known as "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)", is an upbeat Calypso song that playfully examines the idea that women are more intelligent or smarter than men.
Historical Background
Although "Man Smart" is one of Belafonte's well-known songs, he didn't write it himself. The song has roots in Trinidad and Tobago and was originally composed by Norman Span, also known as King Radio, who was a prominent calypsonian.
Release Date
Harry Belafonte's version of "Man Smart" was included in his 1956 album "Calypso". The album was the first by any artist to sell over a million copies.
Style
The song takes its style from Calypso music, a genre of Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to mid-20th century. The song's tempo, instrumental arrangement, and vocal performance are distinctively Calypso.
Recognition and Influence
Despite the theme and meaning of the lyrics being a topic of debate, the catchy tune has made it a favorite among many and it has been covered by numerous artists from various genres. Notable versions have been performed by The Carpenters, Robert Palmer, and Rosanne Cash.
Use in Pop Culture
The song has often been used in films and television over the years. For instance, it was included in the soundtrack for Rat Race (2001) and The Bounty (1984).
Live Performances
Over the years, Belafonte performed "Man Smart" in various shows, concerts, and TV appearances. His energetic delivery of the song made it a crowd favorite.

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